Selectively rotatable shaft coupler

In one aspect, the present invention is a system for rotatably coupling a shaft to a housing. The system includes a selectively rotatable shaft coupler that connects a shaft to a housing that allows a limited amount of shaft rotation, but which sets a restriction on the maximum amount of shaft rotation. In another aspect, the invention provides a shaft coupling system for connecting a proximal end of an endoscope shaft to a housing without the use of adhesive or epoxies.

Skip to: Description  ·  Claims  ·  References Cited  · Patent History  ·  Patent History
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to shaft couplers for medical devices in general and to rotatable shaft couplers in particular.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It has become well established that there are major health benefits from regular endoscopic examinations of a patient's internal structures such as the alimentary canals and airways, e.g., the esophagus, stomach, lungs, colon, uterus, urethra, kidney, and other organ systems. Endoscopes are also commonly used to perform surgical, therapeutic, diagnostic or other medical procedures under direct visualization. A conventional imaging endoscope used for such procedures generally include an illuminating mechanism such as a fiber optic light guide connected to a proximal source of light, and an imaging means such as an imaging light guide to carry an image to a remote camera or eye piece or a miniature video camera within the endoscope itself. In addition, most endoscopes include one or more working channels through which medical devices such as biopsy forceps, snares, fulguration probes and other tools may be passed in order to perform a procedure at a desired location in the patient's body.

In connection with the endoscope, an operator control module is typically provided that allows a user to control and steer the operation of the endoscope. The endoscope is guided through the patient's tract or canal until an opening at the distal end of the endoscope is proximate to the area of the patient's body which is to be examined or receive treatment. At this point, the endoscope allows other components, such as a catheter, to access the targeted area.

In many endoscope procedures, the physician or operator needs to rotate an endoscope shaft in order to obtain the desired images, to obtain a desired position of the distal tip, or to perform a desired surgical function (e.g. polyp removal, drainage, and the like). An endoscope shaft with low torque transfer characteristic allows for shaft rotation by allowing the shaft to twist around its central axis; however, excessive rotation of the shaft can damage the cables, tubes and electrical wires within the shaft. On the other hand, an endoscope shaft that is not allowed to rotate at all may loop over itself during clinical use, causing damage to the internal components as well as discomfort to the patient.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To address these and other problems, in one aspect the present invention is a system for rotatably coupling a shaft to a housing. The system includes a selectively rotatable shaft coupler that connects a shaft to a housing that allows a limited amount of shaft rotation, but which sets a restriction on the maximum amount of shaft rotation. The rotatable shaft coupler comprises a shaft adapter having a rotatably securable hollow body with a first end adapted to be secured to an end of a shaft and a second end adapted to be rotatably attached to a collar. A collar extends from a housing that rotatably receives the shaft adapter. At least one stop element is provided that is capable of limiting the rotation of the shaft adapter with respect to the housing.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a selectively rotatable shaft coupler that attaches an endoscope shaft to a housing and maintains the effective length of the endoscope shaft during rotation. The rotatable shaft coupler comprises a shaft adapter having a hollow body with a first end adapted to be secured to an end of a shaft, a second end adapted to be slidably connected to a rotary adapter, and a circular flange adjacent to the first end. A collar extends from the housing with a first end adapted to receive the flange on the shaft adapter and a threaded lumen with a first stop element and a second stop element, wherein the first stop element and the second stop element are spaced apart from one another at a predetermined width inside the collar. A rotary adapter is provided with a hollow body having a first end adapted to slidably connect to the second end of the shaft adapter and a second end comprising an engagement element. The engagement element rides inside the threads of the collar, and rotation of the rotary adapter in the threaded collar causes incremental movement of the rotary adapter along the collar lumen until either the engagement element contacts the first stop element on the collar, limiting further rotation in the clockwise direction, or until the engagement element contacts the second stop element on the collar, limiting further rotation in the counterclockwise direction.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a shaft coupling system for connecting a proximal end of an endoscope shaft to a housing or other structure without the use of adhesive or epoxies. The shaft coupling system comprises a housing with a first end adapted to receive a shaft retainer and a shaft retainer comprising a plurality of retention barbs capable of securing an end of an endoscope shaft.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will become more readily appreciated as the same become better understood by reference to the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a selectively rotatable shaft coupler in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of a shaft adapter that is included in the shaft coupler shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3A is a diagram illustrating the selectively rotatable shaft adapter of FIG. 2 shown in a position of maximum rotation in a first direction;

FIG. 3B shows the selectively rotatable shaft adapter of FIG. 2 shown in a position of minimal endoscope shaft rotation;

FIG. 3C shows the selectively rotatable shaft adapter of FIG. 2 coupled to an endoscope shaft showing maximum rotation in a second direction;

FIG. 4 illustrates another embodiment of a selectively rotatable shaft coupler in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment of a selectively rotatable shaft coupler that maintains the effective length of an endoscope shaft during rotation, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the interface between the tangs and notches on interconnecting members of the shaft adapter shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 illustrates yet another embodiment of a selectively rotatable shaft coupler that maintains the effective length of the endoscope shaft during rotation, in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 8A shows a perspective view of a shaft adapter having grooves along the longitudinal axis in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8B shows a perspective view of the interface between the shaft adapter having grooves and a rotary adapter having corresponding ribs, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 shows a selectively rotatable shaft coupler having a non-rotatable shaft adapter in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10A illustrates a shaft retainer having inward and outward facing barbs, in accordance with another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 10B shows a perspective view of the shaft retainer having inward and outward facing barbs in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 11A illustrates an alternative embodiment of a shaft retainer having anti-rotation bosses coupled to a breakout box housing; and

FIG. 11B shows a perspective view of the shaft retainer having anti-rotation bosses in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

To address the problems associated with excessive endoscope shaft rotation, the present invention is a system for rotatably coupling a shaft to a housing. The system comprises a selectively rotatable shaft coupler that allows a limited amount of device (e.g., endoscope) shaft rotation, but which sets a restriction on the maximum amount of shaft rotation in order to provide increased manipulation of the endoscope while protecting the internal components of the shaft. Although the present invention is described as allowing rotation of an endoscope, it will be appreciated that the invention is useful with catheters, sheaths or other devices that are inserted into a patient, wherein selective rotation of a shaft with respect to another part of the device is desired.

The shaft coupler system of the present invention comprises at least one selectively rotatable shaft adapter that connects the endoscope shaft to a connector that is secured to the device to which the shaft is to be rotatably connected. In one embodiment, the shaft coupler system comprises one selectively rotatable shaft coupler positioned either proximal an endoscope connector or at a breakout box as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/811,781, filed Mar. 29, 2004, and a continuation-in-part patent application entitled VIDEO ENDOSCOPE, filed Sep. 30, 2004, and are herein incorporated by reference. In another embodiment, the shaft coupler system comprises a first rotatable shaft coupler positioned at one end of the shaft and a second rotatable shaft coupler positioned at the other end of the shaft to provide an increased rotational range.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a selectively rotatable shaft coupler 100 for connecting an endoscope shaft (not shown) to a proximal connector housing 102. In the embodiment shown, the proximal connector housing 102 is rigidly secured to a retainer wall of another object to which the endoscope is to be rotatably secured. The proximal connector housing has a threaded bore 104 into which a corresponding threaded end 110 of a shaft adapter 108 is inserted. The proximal connector also includes an outwardly extended threaded nipple 106 having a smooth bore 107 therein. The proximal connector housing 102 may be secured to the retainer wall by a variety of means such as an adhesive, or with any suitable fastener, or may be integrally formed with the retainer wall. The depth of the bore 107 determines the maximum range of endoscope shaft rotation.

A shaft adapter 108 has a distal threaded end 110 that is threaded within the connector housing 102 and a proximal end that is secured to an end of the endoscope. Between the distal and proximal ends of the shaft adapter is a circular flange 114. A cap 116 is threaded onto the nipple 106 to close the flange 114 in the bore 107. The shaft coupler 100 comprising the shaft adapter 108 and the connector housing 102 may be packaged as a preformed unit that is removably attached to a housing or to any desired object with any suitable connection means.

FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the shaft adapter 108. As shown, the shaft adapter 108 has a hollow body with a first end 110 adapted to be threaded with the proximal connector 102 and a second end 112 adapted to be secured to the end of an endoscope. As shown, the shaft adapter body has a central hollow lumen through which control cables and other elements of the endoscope are passed to allow electrical, irrigation and aspiration connections to extend into the endoscope. A counter-bored detail 120 inside the second end 112 of the shaft adapter 108 receives an end of an endoscope shaft. Alternatively, the second end of the shaft adapter may be sized to fit inside an end of an endoscope shaft and secure the shaft by any suitable means, such as with the use of an adhesive and/or any suitable fastener.

FIGS. 3A–C illustrate the rotational movement of the shaft adapter 108 in the proximal connector housing 102 when coupled to a rotating endoscope shaft 122. In operation, as shown in FIG. 3A, an end of an endoscope shaft 122 is first secured to the proximal end of the shaft adapter, causing the shaft adapter 108 to rotate along with the endoscope shaft 122. Rotation of the shaft 122 in a first direction (e.g. clockwise) causes axial movement of the shaft adapter 108 until the flange 114 is moved towards the bottom of the bore 107 by the threads on the distal end 110 of the shaft adapter 108. As shown in FIG. 3B, the flange 114 is in an intermediate position in the cylindrical bore 107, indicating a midway rotation of the endoscope shaft 122. Finally, as shown in FIG. 3C, rotation in a full counterclockwise direction causes axial movement of the shaft adapter 108 towards the cap 116 until the flange 114 in the bore 107 contacts the interior surface of the cap 116. The depth of the bore 107 and the width of the flange 114 and/or the pitch of the threads that secure the shaft adapter 108 to the proximal connector housing 102, may be adjusted to allow for various amounts of rotational motion of the shaft.

FIG. 4 is a partial cutaway view of another embodiment of a selectively rotatable shaft coupler 120 attached to, for example, a proximal connector housing 124. As shown, an internally threaded collar 126 extends from, or is attached to the proximal connector housing 124. A shaft adapter 132 is secured to an end of an endoscope shaft 136 and an engagement element such as a pin 134 is sized to be received in the grooves 128 of the threaded collar 126. In operation, the engagement pin 134, or other equivalent engagement element on the shaft adapter 132 rides in the grooves 128 of the threaded collar 126, causing the shaft adapter 132 to move axially in and out of the collar during rotation of the endoscope shaft 136. To limit rotation of the shaft, at least two stop elements 130A,B are positioned to extend into the threads 128 of the threaded collar to prevent movement of the engagement pin 134. The location of each of the two stop pins 130A,B in the threads determines the range of endoscope shaft rotation.

In some embodiments, the stop elements 130A,B may be tightened onto the shaft adapter 132, thereby locking the endoscope shaft 136 into a desired orientation during clinical use. Although the embodiment shown uses two stop pins 130A,B, it will be appreciated that a single stop pin could be used by limiting the depth of the threads in the collar 126.

Similarly, although the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 is described with reference to stop elements as pins, those of skill in the art will understand that the stop elements may comprise any suitable structure capable of preventing the rotation of the shaft adapter 132 in the collar 126, such as blocks, tabs and the like. Similarly, those of skill in the art will understand that a suitable engagement element is not limited to a pin, but also includes any structure capable of allowing rotation in the collar 126 such as tabs, blocks, a smaller threaded section, and the like.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a selectively rotatable shaft coupler that attaches an endoscope shaft to a housing and maintains the effective length of the endoscope shaft during rotation. FIG. 5 is a partial cutaway view of another embodiment of a selectively rotatable shaft coupler 140 that extends from, or is attached to, for example, a proximal connector housing 142 in accordance with this aspect of the invention. As shown, an internally threaded collar 144 extends from and is integrally formed with, or is attached to the housing 142. An endoscope shaft 170 is secured to a first end of a shaft adapter 150. A second end of the shaft adapter 150 has alternating tangs and notches that slidably engage a corresponding set of tangs and notches on a rotary adapter 156. A circular flange 180 on the shaft adapter 150 is rotatably fitted in an annular slot 182 that extends around the interior of the collar 144.

An engagement pin 158 on the rotary adapter 156 rides in the threaded grooves 146 of the collar 144 and causes the rotary adapter 156 to move axially in and out of the collar 144 during rotation of the endoscope shaft 170. To limit rotation of the shaft, stop elements 148A,B extend into the grooves 146 of the threaded collar 144, to prevent further rotation of the engagement pin 158. The location of each of the two stop pins 148A,B determines the range of endoscope shaft rotation.

FIG. 6 illustrates the interlocking elements on the shaft adapter 150 and the rotary adapter 156 in the selectively rotatable shaft coupler 140. As shown, the first end of the shaft adapter 150 is adapted to be secured to the endoscope shaft 170 and the second end has two opposing tangs 152A,B alternating with two opposing notches 154A,B. The rotary adapter 156 has a corresponding set of tangs 162A,B and notches 160A,B which fit within the notches 154A,B and tangs 152A,B of the shaft adapter 150, respectively. As the rotary adapter 156 is rotated in the threaded collar 144, the rotary adapter and the shaft adapter separate or are faced closer together because the shaft adapter is held by the circular flange 182 in the annular slot. The length of the tangs and notches are chosen to allow continued slideable engagement through the desired range of endoscope shaft rotation.

Referring now to FIG. 5, in operation, the rotation of the endoscope shaft 170 causes the flange 180 on the shaft adapter 150 to rotate in the annular slot 182 in the collar 144. During rotation of the shaft adapter 150, the tangs on the shaft adapter engage in the notches of the rotary adapter, causing the rotary adapter 156 to rotate along with the endoscope shaft 170. As the rotary adapter 156 rotates in a first direction (e.g. clockwise), the engagement pin 158 moves along the grooves 146 of the threaded collar 144, causing the rotary adapter to move axially away from the shaft adapter until the engagement pin 158 contacts the stop pin 148A, thereby preventing further clockwise rotation. Similarly, when the rotation is in the counterclockwise direction, the rotary adapter moves toward the shaft adapter until the stop pin 148B prevents further rotation. Due to the circular flange 182 of the shaft adapter being retrained in the annular slot, the shaft adapter is not able to move axially in the channel during rotation of the shaft. Therefore, the effective length of the endoscope shaft does not change during rotation. This aspect of the invention advantageously allows the axial position of the endoscope tip to be maintained in the body during rotation. Furthermore, the components in the endoscope shaft do not contract or stretch during rotation.

Although the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 uses two stop pins 148A,B, it will be appreciated that a single stop pin 148B could be used by limiting the depth of the threads in the collar 144 such that the engagement pin 158 on the rotary adapter 156 cannot ride in the threaded grooves and thereby limiting rotation of the endoscope shaft 170.

FIG. 7 is a partial cutaway drawing illustrating an alternative embodiment of a selectively rotatable shaft coupler 180 that attaches an endoscope shaft to a collar 190. The shaft coupler 180 maintains the effective length of the endoscope shaft during rotation. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, a shaft adapter 182 has a set of grooves 184 cut along its longitudinal axis that slidably engage a corresponding set of ribs 194 on a rotary adapter 192. An engagement pin 198 on the rotary adapter rides in the threaded grooves of the collar 190 and a stop 199 at the end thereof prevents further axial movement of the rotary adapter, thereby limiting rotation. The longitudinal grooves 184 on the shaft adapter 182 are best shown in FIG. 8A. FIG. 8B illustrates the rotary adapter 192 with ribs 194 slidably engaged in the grooves 184 on the shaft adapter 182. In the embodiment shown, the endoscope shaft 196 is corrugated to provide a secure attachment to the shaft adapter 182. A circular flange 185 allows the rotary adapter 182 to rotate in the collar (see FIG. 7), but prevents axial movement of the shaft adapter 182, thereby maintaining the effective length of the endoscope shaft during rotation. The rotatable shaft coupler 180 is preferably assembled by forming the collar 190 in two halves that are fitted over the rotary adapter 192 and the shaft adapter 182.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a selectively rotatable shaft coupler 200 having a shaft adapter with a first end non-rotatably fixed to a housing or other object and a second end adapted to rotatably receive an endoscope shaft. As shown in FIG. 9, the coupler 200 comprises a shaft adapter 202 with a first end 203 that is non-rotatably attached to a housing 206 and a second end 205 sized to rotatably receive an end of a shaft 216. The shaft adapter 202 has a threaded section 204 midway between the first end 203 and the second end 205. Positioned between the threaded section 204 and the second end 205 is a set of ratchets 208 capable of functioning as one-way stop elements as further described below. Also included in the coupler 200 is a collar 210 non-rotatably secured over an end of a shaft 216. The collar 210 has a stop pin extending inwardly toward the shaft 217 and located at a position chosen to stop rotation of the shaft 216. The shaft 216 has a threaded section 212 at or near its proximate end, the threaded section capable of screwing onto the threaded section 204 on the shaft adapter 202. In operation, the collar 212 is secured over the end of the shaft 216. The shaft 216 is then screwed onto the shaft adapter 202 over the ratchets 208 in a clockwise direction. Once the threaded section 212 of the shaft 216 is screwed onto the threaded section 204 of the shaft adapter 202, the shaft 216 can be rotated in a clockwise direction until the end of the shaft 216 and/or collar 210 contacts the wall of the housing 206. Rotation of the shaft 216 in a counterclockwise direction is permitted until the stop element 214 on the collar 210 contacts the ratchets 208, thereby preventing further counterclockwise rotation.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a shaft coupling system for connecting a proximal end of an endoscope shaft 302 to a housing 310 or other structure without the use of adhesive or epoxies. A representative embodiment of the shaft coupling system 300 is shown in FIG. 10A. As shown, an endoscope shaft 302 is coupled to the housing 310 via a shaft retainer 304 that is press-fit into the housing 310. As shown more clearly in FIG. 10B, the shaft retainer 304 has a cylindrical hollow shape that is sized to fit into the housing 310. The outward surface of the shaft retainer 304 has a plurality of outward extending barbs 308 capable of securing the shaft retainer 304 into the housing 310. The inward surface of the shaft retainer body has a plurality of inward rearwardly extending barbs 306 that are capable of securing the endoscope shaft 302 into the shaft retainer. The shaft retainer 304 may additionally have a circular flange at one end to ease the insertion of the endoscope shaft 302.

The shaft retainer 304 may be made out of metal and be stamped to form the plurality of inward rearwardly and outwardly extending barbs. The stamped shaft retainer 304 may then be press-fit into the housing 310. In operation, the outwardly extending barbs 308 on the shaft retainer 304 secure the retainer ring in the housing without the need for adhesives or epoxies. Once the shaft retainer is secured in the housing, the endoscope shaft 302 is fitted into the housing via the inward rearwardly extending barbs 306 on the shaft retainer 304.

An alternative embodiment of a shaft coupling system 320 is shown in FIG. 11A. In this embodiment, an endoscope shaft 322 is secured in a shaft retainer 324 having one or more anti-rotation bosses. The shaft retainer 324 is fitted into a housing 330 having pockets or slots that are sized to receive the one or more anti-rotation bosses. As shown more clearly in FIG. 11B, the shaft retainer 324 has two anti-rotation bosses 326A, 326B that protrude from the outward facing side of the shaft retainer body. The inward facing side of the shaft retainer body comprises a plurality of inward rearwardly extending barbs 328 capable of securing the endoscope shaft 322. The shaft retainer with anti-rotation bosses 324 may be injection molded and fitted onto the proximal end of an endoscope shaft, wherein the inwardly extending barbs 328 secure the endoscope shaft without the need for adhesives or epoxies. The shaft retainer secured to the endoscope shaft may then be assembled with two halves of the housing, the one or more anti-rotation bosses fitted into preformed pockets in the housing. The coupling system 320 thereby allows for a secured connection between the endoscope shaft and a housing without allowing rotation or pull-out of the endoscope shaft and without the need for adhesives or epoxies.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, it will be appreciated that various changes can be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A system for rotatably coupling a shaft of an insertable medical device to a housing while maintaining the effective length of the shaft during rotation, the system comprising: (i) a shaft adapter having a hollow body with a first end adapted to be secured to an end of a shaft of an insertable medical device, a second end adapted to be slidably connected to a rotary adapter, and a circular flange adjacent to the first end; (ii) a collar extending from the housing with a first end adapted to receive the flange on the shaft adapter and a threaded lumen with a first stop element and a second stop element, wherein the first stop element and the second stop element are spaced apart from one another at a predetermined width inside the collar; and (iii) a rotary adapter having a hollow body with a first end adapted to slidably connect to the second end of the shaft adapter and a second end comprising an engagement element, wherein the engagement element rides inside the threads of the collar, wherein rotation of the rotary adapter in the threaded collar causes incremental movement of the rotary adapter along the collar lumen until either the engagement element contacts the first stop element on the collar, limiting further rotation in the clockwise direction, or until the engagement element contacts the second stop element on the collar, limiting further rotation in the counterclockwise direction, wherein the effective length of the shaft is maintained during rotation.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the shaft adapter and the rotary adapter are slidably connected with interfacing tangs and notches.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the shaft adapter and the rotary adapter are slidably connected with interfacing grooves and ribs.

4. A system for rotatably coupling a shaft of an insertable medical device to a housing, the system comprising: (i) a shaft adapter having a rotatably securable hollow body with a first end adapted to be secured to an end of a shaft of an insertable medical device and a second end adapted to be rotatably attached to a collar; (ii) a collar extending from the housing that rotatably receives the shaft adapter; (iii) a circular flange located on the shaft adaptor capable of limiting the rotation of the shaft adapter with respect to the housing; and (iv) a bore within the collar and a cap secured over the bore such that the flange is movable in the bore by rotation of the shaft.

5. A system for rotatably coupling a shaft of an insertable medical device to a housing, the system comprising: (i) a shaft adapter having a rotatably securable hollow body with a first end adapted to be secured to an end of a shaft of an insertable medical device and a second end adapted to be rotatably attached to a collar; (ii) a collar extending from the housing that rotatably receives the shaft adapter, wherein at least a portion of the collar is threaded; (iii) at least two stop elements capable of limiting the rotation of the shaft adapter with respect to the housing, wherein the stop elements are located on the collar, wherein the space between the stop elements determines the range of shaft rotation; and (iv) an engagement element located on the shaft adapter body, wherein the engagement element rides in the grooves of the threaded collar, wherein rotation of the shaft adapter in the collar causes axial movement of the shaft adapter along the collar until the engagement element contacts the first or second stop element.

6. A system for rotatably coupling a shaft of an insertable medical device to a housing while maintaining the effective length of the shaft during rotation, the system comprising: an insertable medical device shaft having a proximal end and a distal end and one or more lumens therein; a housing; a threaded collar attached to the housing; a shaft adapter for rotatably coupling the shaft to the housing, the shaft adaptor sized to rotate in the threaded collar, the shaft adapter having a first end adapted to be secured to the proximal end of the shaft, a second end adapted to slidably connect to a rotary adapter and means to prevent the axial motion of the shaft; and a rotary adapter for selectively rotating the shaft with respect to the housing, wherein the rotary adaptor is intermediate the shaft adapter and the housing having a hollow body with a first end adapted to slidably connect to the second end of the shaft adapter, wherein the shaft adapter and the rotary adapter cooperate to limit rotation of the shaft, wherein the effective length of the shaft is maintained during rotation.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the rotary adapter comprises an engagement element adapted to engage the threads of the collar.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the threaded collar has at least one stop element.

Referenced Cited
U.S. Patent Documents
3266059 August 1966 Stelle
3470876 October 1969 Barchilon
3572325 March 1971 Bazell et al.
3581738 June 1971 Moore
4108211 August 22, 1978 Tanaka
4286585 September 1, 1981 Ogawa
4294162 October 13, 1981 Fowler et al.
4315309 February 9, 1982 Coli
4351323 September 28, 1982 Ouchi et al.
4425113 January 10, 1984 Bilstad
4432349 February 21, 1984 Oshiro
4471766 September 18, 1984 Terayama
4473841 September 25, 1984 Murakoshi et al.
4488039 December 11, 1984 Sato et al.
4491865 January 1, 1985 Danna et al.
4495134 January 22, 1985 Ouchi et al.
4499895 February 19, 1985 Takayama
4513235 April 23, 1985 Acklam et al.
4515444 May 7, 1985 Prescott et al.
4516063 May 7, 1985 Kaye et al.
4519391 May 28, 1985 Murakoshi
4559928 December 24, 1985 Takayama
4573450 March 4, 1986 Arakawa
4580210 April 1, 1986 Nordstrom
4586923 May 6, 1986 Gould et al.
4615330 October 7, 1986 Nagasaki et al.
4616630 October 14, 1986 Arakawa
4617915 October 21, 1986 Arakawa
4621618 November 11, 1986 Omagari et al.
4625714 December 2, 1986 Toyota
4631582 December 23, 1986 Nagasaki et al.
4633303 December 30, 1986 Nagasaki et al.
4633304 December 30, 1986 Nagasaki
4643170 February 17, 1987 Miyazaki et al.
4646723 March 3, 1987 Arakawa
4649904 March 17, 1987 Krauter et al.
4651202 March 17, 1987 Arakawa
4652093 March 24, 1987 Stephen et al.
4652916 March 24, 1987 Suzaki et al.
4654701 March 31, 1987 Yabe
RE32421 May 19, 1987 Hattori
4662360 May 5, 1987 O'Hara et al.
4662725 May 5, 1987 Nisioka
4663657 May 5, 1987 Nagasaki et al.
4667655 May 26, 1987 Ogiu et al.
4674844 June 23, 1987 Nishioka et al.
4686963 August 18, 1987 Cohen et al.
4697210 September 29, 1987 Toyota et al.
4700693 October 20, 1987 Lia et al.
4714075 December 22, 1987 Krauter et al.
4716457 December 29, 1987 Matsuo
4719508 January 12, 1988 Sasaki et al.
4727417 February 23, 1988 Kanno et al.
4727418 February 23, 1988 Kato et al.
4745470 May 17, 1988 Yabe et al.
4745471 May 17, 1988 Takamura et al.
4746974 May 24, 1988 Matsuo
4748970 June 7, 1988 Nakajima
4755029 July 5, 1988 Okabe
4762119 August 9, 1988 Allred et al.
4765312 August 23, 1988 Sasa et al.
4766489 August 23, 1988 Kato
4787369 November 29, 1988 Allred et al.
4790294 December 13, 1988 Allred et al.
4794913 January 3, 1989 Shimonaka et al.
4796607 January 10, 1989 Allred et al.
4800869 January 31, 1989 Nakajima
4805596 February 21, 1989 Hatori
4806011 February 21, 1989 Bettinger
4819065 April 4, 1989 Eino
4819077 April 4, 1989 Kikuchi et al.
4821116 April 11, 1989 Nagasaki et al.
4824225 April 25, 1989 Nishioka
4831437 May 16, 1989 Nishioka et al.
4836187 June 6, 1989 Iwakoshi et al.
4844052 July 4, 1989 Iwakoshi et al.
4844071 July 4, 1989 Chen et al.
4845553 July 4, 1989 Konomura et al.
4845555 July 4, 1989 Yabe et al.
4847694 July 11, 1989 Nishihara
4853772 August 1, 1989 Kikuchi
4860731 August 29, 1989 Matsuura
4867546 September 19, 1989 Nishioka et al.
4868647 September 19, 1989 Uehara et al.
4869237 September 26, 1989 Eino et al.
4873965 October 17, 1989 Danieli
4875468 October 24, 1989 Krauter et al.
4877314 October 31, 1989 Kanamori
4882623 November 21, 1989 Uchikubo
4884134 November 28, 1989 Tsuji et al.
4885634 December 5, 1989 Yabe
4890159 December 26, 1989 Ogiu
4894715 January 16, 1990 Uchikubo et al.
4895431 January 23, 1990 Tsujiuchi et al.
4899731 February 13, 1990 Takayama et al.
4899732 February 13, 1990 Cohen
4899787 February 13, 1990 Ouchi et al.
4905666 March 6, 1990 Fukuda
4918521 April 17, 1990 Yabe et al.
4919112 April 24, 1990 Siegmund
4919114 April 24, 1990 Miyazaki
4920980 May 1, 1990 Jackowski
4928172 May 22, 1990 Uehara et al.
4931867 June 5, 1990 Kikuchi
4941454 July 17, 1990 Wood et al.
4941456 July 17, 1990 Wood et al.
4951134 August 21, 1990 Nakasima et al.
4951135 August 21, 1990 Sasagawa et al.
4952040 August 28, 1990 Igarashi
4960127 October 2, 1990 Noce et al.
4961110 October 2, 1990 Nakamura
4967269 October 30, 1990 Sasagawa et al.
4971034 November 20, 1990 Doi et al.
4973311 November 27, 1990 Iwakoshi et al.
4979497 December 25, 1990 Matsuura et al.
4982725 January 8, 1991 Hibino et al.
4984878 January 15, 1991 Miyano
4986642 January 22, 1991 Yokota et al.
4987884 January 29, 1991 Nishioka et al.
4989075 January 29, 1991 Ito
4989581 February 5, 1991 Tamburrino et al.
4996974 March 5, 1991 Ciarlei
4996975 March 5, 1991 Nakamura
4998182 March 5, 1991 Krauter et al.
5001556 March 19, 1991 Nakamura et al.
5005558 April 9, 1991 Aomori
5005957 April 9, 1991 Kanamori et al.
5007408 April 16, 1991 Ieoka
5018509 May 28, 1991 Suzuki et al.
5022382 June 11, 1991 Ohshoi et al.
5029016 July 2, 1991 Hiyama et al.
5034888 July 23, 1991 Uehara et al.
5040069 August 13, 1991 Matsumoto et al.
RE33689 September 10, 1991 Nishioka et al.
5045935 September 3, 1991 Kikuchi
5049989 September 17, 1991 Tsuji
5050584 September 24, 1991 Matsuura
5050974 September 24, 1991 Takasugi et al.
5056503 October 15, 1991 Nagasaki
5061994 October 29, 1991 Takahashi
5068719 November 26, 1991 Tsuji
5081524 January 14, 1992 Tsuruoka et al.
5087989 February 11, 1992 Igarashi
5110645 May 5, 1992 Matsumoto et al.
5111281 May 5, 1992 Sekiguchi
5111306 May 5, 1992 Kanno et al.
5111804 May 12, 1992 Funakoshi
5113254 May 12, 1992 Kanno et al.
5119238 June 2, 1992 Igarashi
5131393 July 21, 1992 Ishiguro et al.
5137013 August 11, 1992 Chiba et al.
5140265 August 18, 1992 Sakiyama et al.
5159446 October 27, 1992 Hibino et al.
5170775 December 15, 1992 Tagami
5172225 December 15, 1992 Takahashi et al.
5174293 December 29, 1992 Hagiwara
5176629 January 5, 1993 Kullas et al.
5188093 February 23, 1993 Lafferty et al.
5191878 March 9, 1993 Iida et al.
5198931 March 30, 1993 Igarashi
5201908 April 13, 1993 Jones
5208702 May 4, 1993 Shiraiwa
5209220 May 11, 1993 Hiyama et al.
5225958 July 6, 1993 Nakamura
5228356 July 20, 1993 Chuang
5243416 September 7, 1993 Nakazawa
5243967 September 14, 1993 Hibino
5257628 November 2, 1993 Ishiguro et al.
5271381 December 21, 1993 Ailinger et al.
RE34504 January 11, 1994 Uehara et al.
5291010 March 1, 1994 Tsuji
5299559 April 5, 1994 Bruce et al.
5311858 May 17, 1994 Adair
5325845 July 5, 1994 Adair et al.
5331551 July 19, 1994 Tsuruoka et al.
5342299 August 30, 1994 Snoke et al.
5347989 September 20, 1994 Monroe et al.
5374953 December 20, 1994 Sasaki et al.
5379757 January 10, 1995 Hiyama et al.
5381782 January 17, 1995 DeLaRama et al.
5383791 January 24, 1995 Hirakui et al.
5390662 February 21, 1995 Okada
5400769 March 28, 1995 Tanii et al.
5402768 April 4, 1995 Adair
5402769 April 4, 1995 Tsuji
5409485 April 25, 1995 Suda
5412478 May 2, 1995 Ishihara et al.
5418649 May 23, 1995 Igarashi
5420644 May 30, 1995 Watanabe
5431645 July 11, 1995 Smith et al.
5434615 July 18, 1995 Matumoto
5436640 July 25, 1995 Reeves
5436767 July 25, 1995 Suzuki et al.
5440341 August 8, 1995 Suzuki et al.
5464007 November 7, 1995 Krauter et al.
5469840 November 28, 1995 Tanii et al.
5473235 December 5, 1995 Lance et al.
5482029 January 9, 1996 Sekiguchi et al.
5484407 January 16, 1996 Osypka
5485316 January 16, 1996 Mori et al.
5496260 March 5, 1996 Krauter et al.
5515449 May 7, 1996 Tsuruoka et al.
5518501 May 21, 1996 Oneda et al.
5543831 August 6, 1996 Tsuji et al.
5569158 October 29, 1996 Suzuki et al.
5569159 October 29, 1996 Anderson et al.
5586262 December 17, 1996 Komatsu et al.
5589854 December 31, 1996 Tsai
5591202 January 7, 1997 Slater et al.
5608451 March 4, 1997 Konno et al.
5619380 April 8, 1997 Agasawa et al.
5622528 April 22, 1997 Hamano et al.
5631695 May 20, 1997 Nakamura et al.
5633203 May 27, 1997 Adair
5643203 July 1, 1997 Beiser et al.
5645075 July 8, 1997 Palmer et al.
5647840 July 15, 1997 D'Amelio et al.
5658238 August 19, 1997 Suzuki et al.
5667477 September 16, 1997 Segawa
5674182 October 7, 1997 Suzuki et al.
5674197 October 7, 1997 van Muiden et al.
5685823 November 11, 1997 Ito et al.
5685825 November 11, 1997 Takase et al.
5691853 November 25, 1997 Miyano
5695450 December 9, 1997 Yabe et al.
5698866 December 16, 1997 Doiron et al.
5702349 December 30, 1997 Morizumi
5703724 December 30, 1997 Miyano
5704371 January 6, 1998 Shepard
5704896 January 6, 1998 Fukunishi et al.
5708482 January 13, 1998 Takahashi et al.
5721566 February 24, 1998 Rosenberg et al.
5724068 March 3, 1998 Sanchez et al.
5728045 March 17, 1998 Komi
5739811 April 14, 1998 Rosenberg et al.
5740801 April 21, 1998 Branson
5746696 May 5, 1998 Kondo
5764809 June 9, 1998 Nomami et al.
5767839 June 16, 1998 Rosenberg
5781172 July 14, 1998 Engel et al.
5782752 July 21, 1998 Lichtman et al.
5788714 August 4, 1998 Ouchi
5789047 August 4, 1998 Sasaki et al.
5793539 August 11, 1998 Konno et al.
5805140 September 8, 1998 Rosenberg et al.
5810715 September 22, 1998 Moriyama
5812983 September 22, 1998 Kumagai
5819736 October 13, 1998 Avny et al.
5820591 October 13, 1998 Thompson et al.
5821466 October 13, 1998 Clark et al.
5821920 October 13, 1998 Rosenberg et al.
5823948 October 20, 1998 Ross, Jr. et al.
5827186 October 27, 1998 Chen et al.
5827190 October 27, 1998 Palcic et al.
5828197 October 27, 1998 Martin et al.
5828363 October 27, 1998 Yaniger et al.
5830124 November 3, 1998 Suzuki et al.
5830128 November 3, 1998 Tanaka
5836869 November 17, 1998 Kudo et al.
5837023 November 17, 1998 Koike et al.
5840014 November 24, 1998 Miyano et al.
5841126 November 24, 1998 Fossum et al.
5843000 December 1, 1998 Nishioka et al.
5846183 December 8, 1998 Chilcoat
5855560 January 5, 1999 Idaomi et al.
5857963 January 12, 1999 Pelchy et al.
5865724 February 2, 1999 Palmer et al.
5868664 February 9, 1999 Speier et al.
5868666 February 9, 1999 Okada et al.
5873816 February 23, 1999 Kagawa et al.
5873866 February 23, 1999 Kondo et al.
5876326 March 2, 1999 Takamura et al.
5876331 March 2, 1999 Wu et al.
5876373 March 2, 1999 Giba et al.
5876427 March 2, 1999 Chen et al.
5877819 March 2, 1999 Branson
5879284 March 9, 1999 Tsujita
5880714 March 9, 1999 Rosenberg et al.
5882293 March 16, 1999 Ouchi
5882339 March 16, 1999 Beiser et al.
5889670 March 30, 1999 Schuler et al.
5889672 March 30, 1999 Schuler et al.
5892630 April 6, 1999 Broome
5895350 April 20, 1999 Hori
5897507 April 27, 1999 Kortenbach et al.
5897525 April 27, 1999 Dey et al.
5907487 May 25, 1999 Rosenberg et al.
5923018 July 13, 1999 Kameda et al.
5928136 July 27, 1999 Barry
5929607 July 27, 1999 Rosenberg et al.
5929846 July 27, 1999 Rosenberg et al.
5929900 July 27, 1999 Yamanaka et al.
5929901 July 27, 1999 Adair et al.
5931833 August 3, 1999 Silverstein
5933809 August 3, 1999 Hunt et al.
5935085 August 10, 1999 Welsh et al.
5936778 August 10, 1999 Miyano et al.
5941817 August 24, 1999 Crawford
5950168 September 7, 1999 Simborg et al.
5951462 September 14, 1999 Yamanaka
5956416 September 21, 1999 Tsuruoka et al.
5956689 September 21, 1999 Everhart
5956690 September 21, 1999 Haggerson et al.
5959613 September 28, 1999 Rosenberg et al.
5976070 November 2, 1999 Ono et al.
5976074 November 2, 1999 Moriyama
5980454 November 9, 1999 Broome
5980468 November 9, 1999 Zimmon
5986693 November 16, 1999 Adair et al.
5991729 November 23, 1999 Barry et al.
5991730 November 23, 1999 Lubin et al.
5999168 December 7, 1999 Rosenberg et al.
6002425 December 14, 1999 Yamanaka et al.
6007531 December 28, 1999 Snoke et al.
6014630 January 11, 2000 Jeacock et al.
6015088 January 18, 2000 Parker et al.
6017322 January 25, 2000 Snoke et al.
6020875 February 1, 2000 Moore et al.
6020876 February 1, 2000 Rosenberg et al.
6026363 February 15, 2000 Shepard
6030360 February 29, 2000 Biggs
6032120 February 29, 2000 Rock et al.
6039728 March 21, 2000 Berlien et al.
6043839 March 28, 2000 Adair et al.
6050718 April 18, 2000 Schena et al.
6057828 May 2, 2000 Rosenberg et al.
6059719 May 9, 2000 Yamamoto et al.
6061004 May 9, 2000 Rosenberg
6063035 May 16, 2000 Sakamoto
6067077 May 23, 2000 Martin et al.
6071248 June 6, 2000 Zimmon
6075555 June 13, 2000 Street
6078308 June 20, 2000 Rosenberg et al.
6078353 June 20, 2000 Yamanaka et al.
6078876 June 20, 2000 Rosenberg et al.
6080104 June 27, 2000 Ozawa et al.
6081809 June 27, 2000 Kumagai
6083152 July 4, 2000 Strong
6083170 July 4, 2000 Ben-Haim
6095971 August 1, 2000 Takahashi
6099465 August 8, 2000 Inoue
6100874 August 8, 2000 Schena et al.
6104382 August 15, 2000 Martin et al.
6120435 September 19, 2000 Eino
6125337 September 26, 2000 Rosenberg et al.
6128006 October 3, 2000 Rosenberg et al.
6132369 October 17, 2000 Takahashi
6134056 October 17, 2000 Nakamura
6134506 October 17, 2000 Rosenberg et al.
6135946 October 24, 2000 Konen et al.
6139508 October 31, 2000 Simpson et al.
6141037 October 31, 2000 Upton et al.
6142956 November 7, 2000 Kortenbach et al.
6146355 November 14, 2000 Biggs
6149607 November 21, 2000 Simpson et al.
6152877 November 28, 2000 Masters
6154198 November 28, 2000 Rosenberg
6154248 November 28, 2000 Ozawa et al.
6155988 December 5, 2000 Peters
6181481 January 30, 2001 Yamamoto et al.
6184922 February 6, 2001 Saito et al.
6193714 February 27, 2001 McGaffigan et al.
6195592 February 27, 2001 Schuler et al.
6203493 March 20, 2001 Ben-Haim
6206824 March 27, 2001 Ohara et al.
6211904 April 3, 2001 Adair
6216104 April 10, 2001 Moshfeghi et al.
6219091 April 17, 2001 Yamanaka et al.
6221070 April 24, 2001 Tu et al.
6241668 June 5, 2001 Herzog
6260994 July 17, 2001 Matsumoto et al.
6272470 August 7, 2001 Teshima
6275255 August 14, 2001 Adair et al.
6283960 September 4, 2001 Ashley
6295082 September 25, 2001 Dowdy et al.
6299625 October 9, 2001 Bacher
6309347 October 30, 2001 Takahashi et al.
6310642 October 30, 2001 Adair et al.
6319196 November 20, 2001 Minami
6319197 November 20, 2001 Tsuji et al.
6334844 January 1, 2002 Akiba
6346075 February 12, 2002 Arai et al.
6366799 April 2, 2002 Acker et al.
6381029 April 30, 2002 Tipirneni
6398724 June 4, 2002 May et al.
6413207 July 2, 2002 Minami
6421078 July 16, 2002 Akai et al.
6425535 July 30, 2002 Akiba
6425858 July 30, 2002 Minami
6436032 August 20, 2002 Eto et al.
6441845 August 27, 2002 Matsumoto
6447444 September 10, 2002 Avni et al.
6449006 September 10, 2002 Shipp
6453190 September 17, 2002 Acker et al.
6454162 September 24, 2002 Teller
6459447 October 1, 2002 Okada et al.
6460319 October 8, 2002 Marshall et al.
6468204 October 22, 2002 Sendai et al.
6475141 November 5, 2002 Abe
6478730 November 12, 2002 Bala et al.
6489987 December 3, 2002 Higuchi et al.
6496827 December 17, 2002 Kozam et al.
6498948 December 24, 2002 Ozawa et al.
6503193 January 7, 2003 Iwasaki et al.
6520908 February 18, 2003 Ikeda et al.
6524234 February 25, 2003 Ouchi
6530882 March 11, 2003 Farkas et al.
6533722 March 18, 2003 Nakashima
6540669 April 1, 2003 Abe et al.
6544194 April 8, 2003 Kortenbach et al.
6545703 April 8, 2003 Takahashi et al.
6551239 April 22, 2003 Renner et al.
6558317 May 6, 2003 Takahashi et al.
6561971 May 13, 2003 Akiba
6565507 May 20, 2003 Kamata et al.
6574629 June 3, 2003 Cooke, Jr. et al.
6589162 July 8, 2003 Nakashima et al.
6595913 July 22, 2003 Takahashi
6597390 July 22, 2003 Higuchi
6599239 July 29, 2003 Hayakawa et al.
6602186 August 5, 2003 Sugimoto et al.
6605035 August 12, 2003 Ando et al.
6609135 August 19, 2003 Omori et al.
6611846 August 26, 2003 Stoodley
6614969 September 2, 2003 Eichelberger et al.
6616601 September 9, 2003 Hayakawa
6623424 September 23, 2003 Hayakawa et al.
6638214 October 28, 2003 Akiba
6638215 October 28, 2003 Kobayashi
6641528 November 4, 2003 Torii
6651669 November 25, 2003 Burnside
6656110 December 2, 2003 Irion et al.
6656112 December 2, 2003 Miyanaga
6659940 December 9, 2003 Adler
6663561 December 16, 2003 Sugimoto et al.
6669629 December 30, 2003 Matsui
6673012 January 6, 2004 Fujii et al.
6677984 January 13, 2004 Kobayashi et al.
6678397 January 13, 2004 Ohmori et al.
6682479 January 27, 2004 Takahashi et al.
6685631 February 3, 2004 Minami
6686949 February 3, 2004 Kobayashi et al.
6690409 February 10, 2004 Takahashi
6690963 February 10, 2004 Ben-Haim et al.
6692431 February 17, 2004 Kazakevich
6697101 February 24, 2004 Takahashi et al.
6699181 March 2, 2004 Wako
6702737 March 9, 2004 Hino et al.
6711426 March 23, 2004 Benaron et al.
6715068 March 30, 2004 Abe
6716162 April 6, 2004 Hakamata
6728599 April 27, 2004 Wang et al.
6730018 May 4, 2004 Takase
6736773 May 18, 2004 Wendlandt et al.
6743240 June 1, 2004 Smith et al.
6749559 June 15, 2004 Kraas et al.
6749560 June 15, 2004 Konstorum et al.
6749561 June 15, 2004 Kazakevich
6753905 June 22, 2004 Okada et al.
6758806 July 6, 2004 Kamrava et al.
6758807 July 6, 2004 Minami
6758842 July 6, 2004 Irion et al.
6778208 August 17, 2004 Takeshige et al.
6780151 August 24, 2004 Grabover et al.
6785410 August 31, 2004 Vining et al.
6785593 August 31, 2004 Wang et al.
6796938 September 28, 2004 Sendai
6796939 September 28, 2004 Hirata et al.
6798533 September 28, 2004 Tipirneni
6800056 October 5, 2004 Tartaglia et al.
6800057 October 5, 2004 Tsujita et al.
6808491 October 26, 2004 Kortenbach et al.
6817976 November 16, 2004 Rovegno
6824539 November 30, 2004 Novak
6824548 November 30, 2004 Smith et al.
6829003 December 7, 2004 Takami
6830545 December 14, 2004 Bendall
6832990 December 21, 2004 Kortenbach et al.
6840932 January 11, 2005 Lang et al.
6842196 January 11, 2005 Swift et al.
6846286 January 25, 2005 Suzuki et al.
6847933 January 25, 2005 Hastings
6849043 February 1, 2005 Kondo
6850794 February 1, 2005 Shahidi
6855109 February 15, 2005 Obata et al.
6858004 February 22, 2005 Ozawa et al.
6858014 February 22, 2005 Damarati
6860849 March 1, 2005 Matsushita et al.
6863650 March 8, 2005 Irion
6863661 March 8, 2005 Carrillo et al.
6868195 March 15, 2005 Fujita
6871086 March 22, 2005 Nevo et al.
6873352 March 29, 2005 Mochida et al.
6876380 April 5, 2005 Abe et al.
6879339 April 12, 2005 Ozawa
6881188 April 19, 2005 Furuya et al.
6882785 April 19, 2005 Eichelberger et al.
6887195 May 3, 2005 Pilvisto
6890294 May 10, 2005 Niwa et al.
6892090 May 10, 2005 Verard et al.
6892112 May 10, 2005 Wang et al.
6895268 May 17, 2005 Rahn et al.
6898086 May 24, 2005 Takami et al.
6899673 May 31, 2005 Ogura et al.
6899674 May 31, 2005 Viebach et al.
6899705 May 31, 2005 Niemeyer
6900829 May 31, 2005 Ozawa et al.
6902527 June 7, 2005 Doguchi et al.
6902529 June 7, 2005 Onishi et al.
6903761 June 7, 2005 Abe et al.
6903883 June 7, 2005 Amanai
6905057 June 14, 2005 Swayze et al.
6905462 June 14, 2005 Homma
6908427 June 21, 2005 Fleener et al.
6908429 June 21, 2005 Heimberger et al.
6911916 June 28, 2005 Wang et al.
6916286 July 12, 2005 Kazakevich
6923818 August 2, 2005 Muramatsu et al.
6928490 August 9, 2005 Bucholz et al.
6930706 August 16, 2005 Kobayahi et al.
6932761 August 23, 2005 Maeda et al.
6934093 August 23, 2005 Kislev et al.
6934575 August 23, 2005 Ferre et al.
6943663 September 13, 2005 Wang et al.
6943946 September 13, 2005 Fiete
6943959 September 13, 2005 Homma
6943966 September 13, 2005 Konno
6944031 September 13, 2005 Takami et al.
6949068 September 27, 2005 Taniguchi et al.
6950691 September 27, 2005 Uchikubo
6955671 October 18, 2005 Uchikubo
20010039370 November 8, 2001 Takahashi et al.
20010049491 December 6, 2001 Shimada
20020017515 February 14, 2002 Obata et al.
20020028984 March 7, 2002 Hayakawa et al.
20020055669 May 9, 2002 Konno
20020080248 June 27, 2002 Adair et al.
20020087048 July 4, 2002 Brock et al.
20020087166 July 4, 2002 Brock et al.
20020095175 July 18, 2002 Brock et al.
20020128633 September 12, 2002 Brock et al.
20020193664 December 19, 2002 Ross et al.
20030034863 February 20, 2003 Kazakevich
20030069897 April 10, 2003 Roy et al.
20030149338 August 7, 2003 Francois et al.
20030181905 September 25, 2003 Long
20040049097 March 11, 2004 Miyake
20040054258 March 18, 2004 Maeda et al.
20040073083 April 15, 2004 Ikeda et al.
20040073084 April 15, 2004 Meada et al.
20040073085 April 15, 2004 Ikeda et al.
20040147809 July 29, 2004 Kazakevich
20040167379 August 26, 2004 Akiba
20040249247 December 9, 2004 Iddan
20040257608 December 23, 2004 Tipirneni
20050197861 September 8, 2005 Omori et al.
20050203341 September 15, 2005 Welker et al.
20050228697 October 13, 2005 Funahashi
20050273084 December 8, 2005 Hinman et al.
Foreign Patent Documents
0 689 851 January 1996 EP
1 300 883 April 2003 EP
58-78635 May 1983 JP
05-31071 February 1993 JP
05-091972 April 1993 JP
06-105800 April 1994 JP
06-254048 September 1994 JP
07-8441 January 1995 JP
10-113330 May 1998 JP
10-286221 October 1998 JP
11-216113 August 1999 JP
3219521 August 2001 JP
2002-102152 April 2002 JP
2002-177197 June 2002 JP
2002-185873 June 2002 JP
2002-253481 September 2002 JP
3372273 November 2002 JP
2003-75113 March 2003 JP
3482238 October 2003 JP
WO 93/13704 July 1993 WO
WO 2004/016310 February 2004 WO
WO 2005/023082 March 2005 WO
Patent History
Patent number: 7241263
Type: Grant
Filed: Sep 30, 2004
Date of Patent: Jul 10, 2007
Patent Publication Number: 20060069307
Assignee: Scimed Life Systems, Inc. (Maple Grove, MN)
Inventor: Dennis R. Boulais (Danielson, CT)
Primary Examiner: Linda C. M. Dvorak
Assistant Examiner: Matthew J. Kasztejna
Attorney: Klarquist Sparkman, LLP
Application Number: 10/955,960